Apparatus and method for reproducing multi-sound channel contents using DLNA in mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

An acoustic apparatus and a method thereof in a mobile terminal are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and a method for establishing a multi-sound system that provides sounds of sense of reality by connecting with players existing in the neighborhood and reproducing channels of contents using a plurality of players when reproducing the contents including multi-sound channels are provided. The apparatus includes a control player, a server player, and a client player. The control player selects players that reproduce respective channels using information of the channels forming the multi-sound channel contents. The server player analyzes the contents to be reproduced by the players to provide the information regarding the channels to the control player. The client player reproduces the channels of the relevant contents under control of the control player.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §365 toInternational Patent Application No. PCT/KR2010/007336 filed Oct. 25,2010, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPRODUCING MULTI-SOUND CHANNELCONTENTS USING DLNA IN MOBILE TERMINAL”. International PatentApplication No. PCT/KR2010/007336 claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §365and/or 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Patent Application No.10-2009-0107366.9 filed Nov. 9, 2009 and which are incorporated hereinby reference into the present disclosure as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an acoustic apparatus and a methodthereof in a mobile terminal. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to an apparatus and a method for establishing a multi-soundsystem that provides sounds of sense of reality by connecting withplayers existing in the neighborhood and reproducing channels ofcontents using the plurality of players when reproducing the contentsincluding multi-sound channels.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, as a mobile terminal develops rapidly, a mobile terminal thatenables wireless voice communication and information exchange has becomea daily necessity. In an early stage of distribution, a mobile terminalwas simply recognized as a product that can be carried and enableswireless communication. As a technology develops and a wireless Internetis introduced, the mobile terminal is used for not only the purpose ofsimple telephone communication or schedule management but also thepurpose of games, a remote controller using short distancecommunication, and image capturing by a mounted digital camera, so thatits utilization range is being widened, meeting a user's desire.

In accordance with a multimedia trend of the mobile terminal, a mobileterminal that can reproduce a music file has been developed and broughtto the market recently. That is, the mobile terminal that can reproducea music file is designed to allow a user to listen to music using onlythe mobile terminal even without the conventional Motion Picture ExpertGroup Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player or the conventional portable cassetteplayer. With its convenience, the mobile terminal that can reproduce amusic file is widely used by young people. Accordingly, the function ofreproducing a music file has become an indispensable function of themobile terminal and been used by a plurality of users.

In addition, recently, as a 5.1-channel audio compression system such asAC-3 and a Moving Picture Experts Group-2 (MPEG-2) has emerged, aplurality of products for home use using this audio compression systemhave developed. Therefore, unlike the conventional stereo method ofdiscriminating left and right two channels and outputting sounds via thetwo channels, a surround audio system that positions a plurality ofspeakers to different points in order to improve a sense of realism hasbeen realized.

However, since the conventional mobile terminal decodes/reproducescontents using one apparatus when reproducing the contents havingmulti-sound channels, the conventional mobile terminal cannot properlyrealize characteristics of the multi-sound channel contents.

That is, even when the conventional mobile terminal reproducesmulti-sound contents, it cannot obtain an effect of an audio system of a5.1 channel using the provided speaker, and provides a limited soundeffect by operating independently from a multimedia apparatus existingin the neighborhood.

Therefore, an apparatus and a method for establishing an effectivemulti-sound system by connecting with a plurality of multimediaterminals existing in the neighborhood simultaneously with solving theabove problems in the mobile terminal are required.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Solution to Problem

An aspect of the present invention is to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide an apparatus and a method for providing amulti-sound system in a mobile terminal.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and amethod for individually reproducing a channel forming contents using aplurality of terminals existing in the neighborhood in a mobileterminal.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatusand a method for selecting a terminal that reproduces a channel ofcontents in a mobile terminal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus forreproducing multi-sound channel contents is provided. The apparatusincludes a control player for selecting players that reproducerespective channels using information of the channels forming themulti-sound channel contents, a server player for analyzing the contentsto be reproduced by the players to provide the information regarding thechannels to the control player, and a client player for reproducing thechannels of the relevant contents under control of the control player.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method forreproducing multi-sound channel contents is provided. The methodincludes selecting players that reproduce respective channels usinginformation of the channels forming the multi-sound channel contents,analyzing the contents to be reproduced by the players to provide theinformation regarding the channels to a control player, and reproducingthe channels of the relevant contents under control of the controlplayer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal that reproducesmulti-sound channel contents using a DLNA network according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a contents reproducer accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents using a DLNA network in a mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents using a DLNA network in a server player according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents using a DLNA network in a client player according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructionsare omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus anda method for establishing a multi-sound system that individuallyreproduces channels forming contents using a plurality of terminalsexisting in the neighborhood in a mobile terminal.

FIGS. 1-2 are block diagrams illustrating a mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal that reproducesmulti-sound channel contents using a Digital Living Network Alliance(DLNA) network according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal is a control player thatreproduces the contents using the DLNA network and includes both aserver player and a client player.

The mobile terminal may include a controller 100, contents reproducer102, a memory unit 106, an input unit 108, a display unit 110, and acommunication unit 112. The contents reproducer 102 may include achannel reproducer 104.

First, the controller 100 of the mobile terminal controls an overalloperation of the mobile terminal. For example, the controller 100performs processes and controls for voice communication and datacommunication. In addition to the general functions, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, in case of reproducingmulti-sound channel contents using the DLNA network, the controller 100selects a reproducing player for each channel forming the contents tooperate the player depending on a relevant channel.

At this point, after selecting contents to be reproduced, the controller100 receives channel information of the contents from a server playerincluding the contents. After that, the controller 100 determines thechannel information to select a player to be operated for each channel,and reproduces a channel allocated to a relevant player.

In the case where the mobile terminal operates as a control player, thecontents reproducer 102 selects a reproducing player for each channel ofcontents under control of the controller 100. In the case where themobile terminal operates as a client player, the contents reproducer 102performs a synchronization process and reproduces a relevant channel ofthe contents.

At this point, the contents reproducer 102 allows the channel reproducer104 to reproduce a channel corresponding to the contents.

The memory unit 106 includes Read Only Memory (ROM), Random AccessMemory (RAM), flash ROM, and the like. The ROM stores microcodes ofprograms for processes and controls of the controller 100 and thecontents reproducer 102, and various reference data.

The RAM serves as a working memory of the controller 100 and storestemporary data occurring during execution of various programs. Inaddition, the flash ROM stores various updatable data for storage suchas a phonebook, calling messages, and received messages.

The input unit 108 includes a plurality of function keys such asnumerical key buttons of 0 to 9, a menu button, a cancel button, an OKbutton, a TALK button, an END button, an Internet access button,navigation key buttons, letter input keys, and the like, and provideskey input data (e.g., input for selecting contents to be reproduced)corresponding to a key pressed by a user to the controller 100.

The display unit 110 displays status information generated during anoperation of the mobile terminal, a limited number of letters, a largeamount of moving images and still images, and the like. The display unit110 may be a color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Active Mode OrganicLight Emitting Diode (AMOLED), and the like.

The communication unit 112 transmits/receives a Radio Frequency (RF)signal of data input/output via an antenna (not illustrated). Forexample, during transmission, the communication unit 112 channel-codesand spreads data to be transmitted, and then performs an RF process onthe signal to transmit the signal. During reception, the communicationunit 112 converts a received RF signal into a baseband signal, anddespreads and channel-decodes the baseband signal to recover data.

The function of the contents reproducer 102 may be performed by thecontroller 100 of the mobile terminal. The separate configuration andillustration of the contents re-producer 102 are an exemplary purposeonly for inconvenience in description, not for limiting the scope of thepresent invention. It would be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications may be made within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, all of the functions of the contents reproducer102 may be processed by the controller 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a contents reproducer accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the contents reproducer may be differentlyconfigured depending on an operation of a mobile terminal that uses aDLNA network.

That is, the contents reproducer 120 may be described differently forthe case where the mobile terminal operates as a control player, for thecase where the mobile terminal operates as a server player, and for thecase where the mobile terminal operates as a client player.

First, in the case where the mobile terminal operates as a controlplayer, the contents reproducer 120 may include a reproducing playerselector 122.

The reproducing player selector 122 selects a player that reproduceseach channel when the mobile terminal reproduces contents through a DLNAnetwork using channel information of the contents received from a serverplayer.

Additionally, in the case where the mobile terminal operates as a serverplayer, the contents reproducer 130 may include a contents analyzer 132and a synchronizer 134.

The contents analyzer 132 analyzes contents selected for reproduction bythe control player to obtain channel information such as video, audio, aframe rate, codec information forming the contents. The synchronizer 134is designed for synchronization of contents reproduction between playersreproducing respective channels. The synchronizer 134 periodicallytransmits synchronization information for contents reproduction to aplurality of players (client players) during reproduction of thecontents to synchronize with the client players.

Additionally, in the case where the mobile terminal operates as a clientplayer, the contents reproducer 140 may include a synchronizer 142. Likethe synchronizer 134 of the server player, the synchronizer 142synchronizes in contents reproduction. At this point, the synchronizer142 synchronizes with players in contents reproduction usingsynchronization information transmitted by the synchronizer 134 of theserver player.

An operation of the contents reproducer is briefly described below.

First, when the contents reproducer 120 of the control player selects aserver player and contents stored in the server player in order toselect contents to be reproduced, the contents reproducer 130 of theserver player allows the contents analyzer 132 to analyze the contentsselected by the control player and obtain channel information, andtransfers (150) the obtained channel information to the contentsreproducer 120 of the control player.

Accordingly, the contents reproducer 120 of the control player allowsthe reproducing player selector 122 to select a player for reproducingeach channel using the channel information and transfers (152) channelreproduction information so that the players reproduce relevantchannels.

As illustrated, for reproduction synchronization, the contentsreproducer 130 of the server player and the contents reproducer 140 ofthe client player periodically perform (154) a synchronization processwhile reproducing channels of the contents.

That is, each player reproduces only a channel allocated to itself amongchannels forming contents, and allows different players to reproducechannels of different contents through a DLNA network, thereby improvinga sound effect.

An apparatus for establishing a multi-sound system by individuallyreproducing channels forming contents using a plurality of terminalsexisting in the neighborhood in a mobile terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described.Hereinafter, a method for establishing a multi-sound system using theabove apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents using a DLNA network in a mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile terminal controls a plurality of mobileterminals through a DLNA network to establish a multi-sound channelsystem. The mobile terminal may be called a control player.

First, the mobile terminal selects a server player in step 201, andselects contents to be reproduced from a plurality of contents includedin the server player selected (in step 201) in step 203.

The mobile terminal determines whether contents channel information isreceived from the server player in step 205. Here, the contents channelinformation may be video, audio, a frame rate, and codec informationforming relevant contents. That is, when the mobile terminal selectscontents to be reproduced, the server player analyzes the contentsselected by the mobile terminal to obtain contents channel informationand transmits the information to the mobile terminal.

When not receiving the contents channel information in step 205, themobile terminal re-performs the process of step 205.

In contrast, when receiving the contents channel information in step205, the mobile terminal selects a reproducing player for each channelin step 207. Here, the mobile terminal selects players that reproducerespective channels forming contents including multi-sound channelsusing the DLNA network. In the case where the mobile terminal reproducesmoving image contents, the mobile terminal selects a player that outputsan image and selects a player that reproduces sounds for each channel.At this point, the player that outputs the image can reproduce sounds ofone channel basically.

The mobile terminal transmits reproducing player information selected instep 207 to each reproducing player to allow the relevant reproducingplayer to recognize a channel that needs to be reproduced by therelevant reproducing player in step 209.

The mobile terminal determines whether a reproduction request forrelevant contents from a user of the mobile terminal is detected in step211.

When not detecting the contents reproduction request in step 211, themobile terminal re-performs the process of step 211 to determine whethera request for reproduction of relevant contents is received from theuser.

In contrast, when detecting the contents reproduction request in step211, the mobile terminal requests the players selected in step 207 toreproduce relevant contents in step 213. Accordingly, the mobileterminal may establish an effective multi-sound channel system byallowing the respective players to reproduce a plurality of channels ofthe contents through the DLNA network.

The mobile terminal determines whether a contents reproduction end isrequested by the user in step 215.

When not requested to end contents reproduction in step 215, the mobileterminal reperforms the process of step 215.

In contrast, when requested to end contents reproduction in step 215,the mobile terminal requests the players that have been reproducing thechannels of the contents to end the reproduction in step 217.

After that, the mobile terminal ends the present algorithm.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents using a DLNA network in a server player according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the server player stores a plurality of contents.First, the server player for reproducing the multi-sound channelcontents determines whether contents to be reproduced are selected by amobile terminal for reproducing multi-sound channel contents in step301. Here, step 301 denotes a process for allowing the mobile terminalto select contents to be reproduced using the DLNA network.

When contents are not selected by the mobile terminal in step 301, theserver player performs a relevant function (e.g., an idle mode) in step317.

In contrast, when the contents are selected by the mobile terminal instep 301, the server player analyzes contents selected by the mobileterminal in step 303, obtains channel information such as video, audio,a frame rate, and codec information forming the selected contents instep 305, and transmits the contents channel information obtained byanalyzing the selected contents to the mobile terminal (control player)in step 307. Here, the contents channel information denotes informationof channels that are reproducible by a plurality of players (clientplayers) using the DNLA network.

The server player determines whether reproduction information isreceived in step 309. Here, the reproduction information denotesinformation regarding channels of the contents that should be reproducedby the server player through the DLNA network. The server player mayoutput an image of the contents or reproduce sounds for each channeldepending on the reproduction information.

When not receiving the reproduction information in step 309, the serverplayer performs a relevant function (e.g., an idle mode for receivingreproduction information) in step 317.

In contrast, when receiving the reproduction information in step 309,the server player determines whether a contents channel reproductionrequest depending on the reproduction information is received from themobile terminal in step 311.

When not receiving the contents channel reproduction request in step311, the server player re-performs a process of step 311.

In contrast, when receiving the contents channel reproduction request instep 311, the server player reproduces a relevant channel with aplurality of players through the DLNA network by reproducing a channelcorresponding to reproduction information according to the request ofthe mobile terminal.

The server player determines whether a reproduction end request for achannel of contents that is being reproduced is received from the mobileterminal in step 315.

When not receiving the reproduction end request in step 315, the serverplayer performs a synchronization process with a plurality of playersthat reproduce channels of the contents in step 319. Here, thesynchronization process denotes that the server player periodicallytransmits synchronization information for contents reproduction to aplurality of players (client players) while reproducing channels ofcontents through the DLNA network to synchronize with the respectiveplayers in multi-sound channel content reproduction.

In contrast, when receiving the reproduction end request in step 315,the server player ends reproduction of the contents channel which isbeing performed and then ends the present algorithm.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents using a DLNA network in a client player according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the client player determines whether reproductioninformation is received in step 401. Here, the reproduction informationdenotes information regarding channels of the contents that should bereproduced by the client player through the DLNA network. Thereproduction information may be provided from the mobile terminal(control player). The client player may output only an image of thecontents or reproduce only sounds for each channel depending on thereproduction information.

When not receiving the reproduction information in step 401, the clientplayer performs a relevant function (e.g., an idle mode for receivingreproduction information) in step 407.

In contrast, when receiving the reproduction information in step 401,the client player receives a contents channel reproduction requestdepending on the reproduction information from the mobile terminal andreproduces a channel corresponding to the reproduction information instep 403.

The client player determines whether a reproduction end request for achannel of contents that are being reproduced is received from themobile terminal in step 405.

When not receiving the reproduction end request in step 405, the clientplayer performs a synchronization process with a plurality of players(the server player and different client players) reproducing channels ofthe contents in step 409. Here, the synchronization process denotes thatthe client server periodically receives synchronization information forcontents reproduction from the server player while reproducing a channelof the contents through the DLNA network, and then synchronizes withrespective players in multi-sound channel contents reproduction.

In contrast, when receiving the reproduction end request in step 405,the client player ends the reproduction of the contents channel that isbeing performed, and ends the present algorithm.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, a mobile terminal establishes a multi-sound system byallowing a plurality of terminals existing in the neighborhood toindividually reproduce channels forming contents. The mobile terminalmay resolve a problem that the conventional mobile terminal cannotrealize a characteristic of multi-sound channel contents by allowing aplurality of mobile terminals to reproduce different channels formingcontents.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for reproducing multi-soundchannel contents, the apparatus comprising: a server configured to storecontent comprising a plurality of channels and analyze channelinformation regarding the channels comprised in the content in responseto a content reproduction request; and a control device configured toselect at least one second device to reproduce each channel comprised inthe content using the channel information analyzed by the server.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determineeach channel information regarding the channel to be reproduced at theeach selected second device, and transmit the each channel informationto the each selected second device to allow the each selected seconddevice to reproduce the channel corresponding to the received channelinformation.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device isconfigured to control the selected at least one second device toreproduce the each channel of the content in response to a contentsreproduction request.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controldevice is configured to control the selected at least one second deviceto perform a synchronization process with at least another selectedsecond device while reproducing the contents.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the channel information comprises at least one of video, audio,a frame rate, and codec information forming the contents to bereproduced.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device isconfigured to control the server to provide the selected content to theselected at least one second device.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe system reproduces the multi-sound channel contents using a DigitalLiving Network Alliance (DLNA) network.
 8. A method for reproducingmulti-sound channel contents, the method comprising: selecting, by acontroller, a content comprising a plurality of channels among aplurality of contents included in a server; receiving channelinformation regarding the channels comprised in the selected contentfrom the server; and selecting at least one second device to reproduceeach channel comprised in the selected content using the receivedchannel information.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein selecting the atleast one second device to reproduce each channel comprised in theselected content comprises: determining each channel informationregarding the channel to be reproduced at each selected second device;and transmitting the each channel information to the each selectedsecond device to allow the each selected second device to reproduce thechannel corresponding to the received channel information.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising controlling the selected seconddevice to reproduce the each channel of the content in response to acontents reproduction request.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising controlling the selected at least one second device toperform a synchronization process with at least another selected seconddevice while reproducing the contents.
 12. The method of claim 8,wherein the channel information received from the server comprises atleast one of video, audio, a frame rate, and codec information formingthe contents to be reproduced.
 13. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising controlling the server to provide the selected content to theselected at least one second device.
 14. The method of claim 8, whereinthe method reproduces the multi-sound channel contents using a DigitalLiving Network Alliance (DLNA) network.
 15. An electronic device forreproducing multi-sound channel contents, the electronic devicecomprising: a communication unit; and a controller configured to controlto: select a content comprising a plurality of channels among aplurality of contents included in a server, receive channel informationregarding the channels comprised in the selected content from theserver, and select at least one second device to reproduce each channelcomprised in the selected content using the received channelinformation.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is configured to control to determine each channelinformation regarding the channel to be reproduced at each selectedsecond device, and transmit the each channel information to the eachselected second device to allow the each selected second device toreproduce the channel corresponding to the received channel information.17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the controller isconfigured to control the selected at least one second device toreproduce the each channel of the content in response to a contentsreproduction request.
 18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the selected at least one seconddevice to perform a synchronization process with at least anotherselected second device while reproducing the contents.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 15, wherein the channel information comprisesat least one of video, audio, a frame rate, and codec informationforming the contents to be reproduced.
 20. The electronic device ofclaim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to use a DigitalLiving Network Alliance (DLNA) network to control reproduction of theone or more channels.